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Top issues
3 known problems
medium
DPF clogging
medium
Injector issues (VM Motori)
low
Electrical gremlins
At this odometer
See which of this car's known problems are due at that mileage, which should already have been dealt with, and what's coming up.
Price (AUD)
$18-38k
Body styles
Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab
Drivetrain
RWD, 4WD part-time
Origin
China
Built in
China
Overview
SAIC-owned LDV (Maxus) ute. The 2.8L VM Motori (SC28R) is from the same engine family as the Holden Colorado RG's LWH/LWN — Iveco-related Italian diesel. Heavy discounts and aggressive pricing make it a budget pick new. Slow off the mark, underpowered for the kerb weight when loaded, and resale is weak. Mixed long-term reliability reports — some examples have done well, others have suffered injector and DPF dramas.
Engines & variants
2.8L SC28R (VM Motori common-rail diesel)
Engine
VM-derived
Engine code
SC28R
Config
I4
Displacement
2.0L / 2.8L
Power
110-160kW
Torque
360-500Nm
Drivetrain
RWD / Part-time 4WD
0–100
~12s
Economy
~9.0 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
3000-3500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT, 6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Belt-driven, 150,000km / 7.5-year
Pros
- VM Motori engine (same family as Colorado)
- 3500kg tow on later
- Big cabin
- Heavy discounts
- Cheap entry point
Cons
- Slow off the mark
- Underpowered for the weight
- Mixed reliability reports
- Resale weak
Known problems
medium
DPF clogging
Slow to regen, limp mode reports.
Fix: Highway runs. Service tool regen.
medium
Injector issues (VM Motori)
Same lineage as Colorado VM engine.
Fix: Quality fuel. Injector set replacement.
low
Electrical gremlins
Reverse camera, infotainment, sensors.
Fix: Dealer diagnosis, often software-related.